Earthwood

Birds and a pier in the background while on the beach with a guitar
A lineup of Ernie Ball Earthwood acoustic string packs

Bronze At Its Best!

In early 1972, fueled by the worldwide success of the ever-popular Slinky electric guitar strings, the Ernie Ball "Earthwood" acoustic brand was born. Following the folk-rock, acoustic guitar boom of the mid to late 1960s, acoustic music and acoustic guitars, in particular, were becoming highly influential in contemporary music. Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Kingston Trio, Crosby Stills & Nash, and hard rock pioneers Led Zeppelin were all enamored with an acoustic voice putting forth landmark recordings that helped shape popular music as we know it.

History

Camping at night with an acoustic guitar and a fire burning

1972

The Ernie Ball Earthwood acoustic bass featured an oversized walnut body, spruce top and "Hot Dot" acoustic pickup. The sound was big and bold. Original Earthwood acoustic basses are considered extremely collectable therefore commanding a premium on the vintage market.

1972 advertisement for the limited-production Earthwood acoustic bass, handmade in California
Ernie Ball, George Fullerton and the Earthwood team outside the Southern California factory
Earthwood Fretted Instruments advertisement announcing two new handmade acoustic instruments
Vintage poster for Genuine Earthwood 80/20 bronze acoustic strings, made in USA
Bronze At Its Best advertisement showing Earthwood 80/20 Bronze and Phosphor Bronze string packs
Make Your Sound Hole Sound Whole advertisement for Aluminum Bronze acoustic strings
Ernie Unplugged Since 1974 advertisement with Earthwood Phosphor Bronze, Everlast, Earthwood 80/20 and Aluminum Bronze packs
Stronger. For Longer. advertisement for Paradigm ultra-premium electric and acoustic strings
Earthwood acoustic strings now available in half gauges, with a beach illustration and three Custom gauge packs

Earthwood Difference

A guitar rests against a cactus with a sunset in the background

Hear The Difference

The Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 Bronze acoustic strings, admired for their bright, balanced tone, were fast becoming the preferred choice for musicians across the globe. Offered in multiple gauge combinations, Earthwood strings were made available for six, twelve, acoustic bass, and other strings instruments, including the Banjo and Mandolin. Studio Phosphor Bronze acoustic sets joined the Ernie Ball acoustic family shortly thereafter. Depending on your guitar and tonal preference, you could choose between these two offerings to achieve your desired sound.

Earthwood Strings

A pack of Earthwood 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

80/20 Bronze

Clear, bright, balanced tone with excellent clarity

Treble
Midrange
Bass
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A pack of Earthwood Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

Phosphor Bronze

Rich, warm tone

Treble
Midrange
Bass
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Earthwood Videos

Earthwood In Action

A guitar lays on a picnic blanket with other picnic items at the beach with the sun shining

In Action

In its 50th year, the Earthwood brand is as strong as ever. Over the years, additional string sets have joined the family to include folk nylon sets for classical guitars, Silk and Steel guitar sets, and various new gauge combinations to enhance players' available options. Along the way, the Studio Phosphor Bronze sets underwent a name change to Acoustic Slinky's and are now part of the Earthwood family under the moniker "Earthwood Phosphor Bronze." Today's catalog of Earthwood products encompasses all tastes and playing styles for guitar and various instruments, representing the ball family heritage of providing quality strings at a reasonable price.

Earthwood Artists

  • Paul McCartney

    Phosphor Bronze

  • Jimmy Page

    80/20 Bronze

  • John Mayer

    Phosphor Bronze

  • Slash

    80/20 Bronze

  • Don Henley

    Phosphor Bronze

  • Elvis Costello

    80/20 Bronze

  • Phillip Phillips

    Phosphor Bronze

  • Joe Bonamassa

    80/20 Bronze

  • Dierks Bentley

    Phosphor Bronze

  • Kenny Chesney

    80/20 Bronze

  • Tommy Emmanuel

    Phosphor Bronze

  • Frank Turner

    80/20 Bronze